that was interesting.

You can see that Gary Stern, like him or not, will keep on pushing forward so long as people keep buying machines. I like his statement that his favourite machine is always the current one in production. In a way, that's a great thing because if he loses his taste for the machine he's making, or the industry itself, that may be the end. Also, it's true that the local watering holes, bowling alleys, etc need to bring in the machines and that will only happen with demand. TV placements, well known people seen playing, things like that might help create demand and bring in more casual players as well as move others into the core market.

It IS a ball game, unlike video which exists only in the virtual world. I would love to know that my kids will be able to play a game with real physics, a chaos factor, and most important, something that is tangible.
Promote your hobby. Build it and they will come.

Quoted from wbradley

I like his statement that his favourite machine is always the current one in production.

I can't believe you like that comment, I hate that comment.  I've met the man in person and all he does is come off as a slimy used car salesmen.  All he is doing is pushing his product and rather then giving someone an honest answer, all he is giving you is the hard sell.  That is the most common question he gets and it's always the same answer "Whatever is in current production", BS I say, I get pushing the product but don't treat us like idiots.

I've yet to hear a good word about Stern, yea he is the only one left making pinballs but based on the testimony of previous employees he is in it more for his ego rather then the love of the game.  The only positive thing I can say about Stern is his making pinballs, but his business practices and the way he treats the home collector are terrible.  

Quoted from Vengeance

I can't believe you like that comment.

I like the comment, too, actually.   I couldn't give a rat's a** what his favorite game is maybe because I feel he's the suit behind the games.   I care about what the players & designer's favorite games are though.    He's in it for the money and I appreciate the games he puts out.

Would be nice if he had competition, but the market doesn't warrant it.

Quoted from Tuborg

  I couldn't give a rat's a** what his favorite game is maybe because I feel he's the suit behind the games.

Quoted from Tuborg

I like the comment, too, actually.   I couldn't give a rat's a** what his favorite game is maybe because I feel he's the suit behind the games.   I care about what the players & designer's favorite games are though.    He's in it for the money and I appreciate the games he puts out.

Would be nice if he had competition, but the market doesn't warrant it.

I couldn't care what his favorite game is either, it's more that you can't get a straight answer out of the guy that drives me nuts more then anything, like I said it all about the hard sell and not about giving you an honest answer.  

It's also just plain dishonest. I hate liars, even if they're salesmen. If he doesn't want to take the spotlight off of the latest in production machine he should just dodge the answer by saying that it's a secret, or that he doesn't have a favourite (which is at least very plausible). Or he could say "well, the one I'm playing the most is the current one." Which would probably be more honest.

Quoted from jonny_eh

It's also just plain dishonest. I hate liars, even if they're salesmen. If he doesn't want to take the spotlight off of the latest in production machine he should just dodge the answer by saying that it's a secret, or that he doesn't have a favourite (which is at least very plausible). Or he could say "well, the one I'm playing the most is the current one." Which would probably be more honest.

I bet he has a favorite game...and its a Williams/Bally. Oh, snap!

Quoted from jonny_eh

It's also just plain dishonest. I hate liars, even if they're salesmen. If he doesn't want to take the spotlight off of the latest in production machine he should just dodge the answer by saying that it's a secret, or that he doesn't have a favourite (which is at least very plausible). Or he could say "well, the one I'm playing the most is the current one." Which would probably be more honest.

If it were me and I was asked the question, the simplest way to answer it would be:

"Well I'm really enjoying the new (insert name of new game here) that is currently in production, it has (insert feature) that I think everyone will really enjoy.  But the one machine that keeps drawing me back into play it is (insert machine here)."

That way you still highlight your current machine in production but don't come off as a slimy douchebag who can't give anyone a straight answer.  

Heheh, his answers were very "Salesguy"  all the sort of stuff you hear when you are in a store where the staff is on comission.   "Yeah i have this exact same car audio system, IT ROCKS!"  Getting past the douchey salesguy lingo is the first step to having a real talk, and this interview didn't really get past it.

THough i would guess that Gary Stern is playing things REALLY close to the chest right now,trying to avoid any blood in the water so to speak.  He is the only pinball producer, but i am sure there are stil board members/creditors who wish they were in a more financially robust business.

I love pinball, but i think Big companies producing pinballs is on its deathbed right now.  Kids don't like pinball as much as i did as a kid, Home consoles have all but killed the arcade market.  THe fact that they are going ot stick to licensed themes is a sucky one too.  WOrried about sales, so you stick a license on it. That way, some of the machines are guaranteed sales for cross promotion.  He kinda skirted around the spiderman software problems, but come on....  DO we need more summer blockbuster pins?  THese licenses cost money!!! if you have a great game, license or not it is still a great game.

meh

Is it just me or did he sound annoyed/angry a few times in that interview. Wasn't really a positive interview and certainly not the interviewer's fault. Gary just seemed annoyed at a few questions.

Duane